Full-Day in Bali: Amazing Ubud Tour

A waterfall, rice terraces, and monkeys in one day. This full-day Ubud tour strings together temple stonework, big waterfall views, and the classic rice-terrace scenery you came for.

I especially like how Tegenungan Waterfall and the Tegalalang Rice Terrace are built into the same 9-hour plan, so you don’t waste time shuffling tickets or figuring out logistics. I also like the human touch: the guide Juli is noted for strong English and paying close attention to what your group needs.

One thing to consider: it’s a 9-hour loop, so keep your plan flexible—if you add optional extra stops, you may feel a bit rushed.

Key highlights you’ll actually feel in the day

• Hotel pickup across Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar so you start relaxed
• English-speaking driver/guide (including standout service like Juli) to make the temples and rituals make sense
• Admission fees included for the main stops, which helps this feel like real value
• A classic Ubud nature + culture combo: waterfall, rice terraces, temple ruins, and Monkey Forest
• Optional add-on near your hotel with a long list of choices, no extra charge

Why Ubud’s best hits fit into one private 9-hour day

This is a private tour with round-trip pickup from many parts of Bali. Start time is 8:30 am, and the day runs about 9 hours, which is perfect if you want the big-name sights without turning your trip into a daily transportation puzzle.

For $57 per person, the value comes from what’s bundled: a private air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide, and the entry/admission fees for the included attractions. You’ll still buy your own food and drinks, but the costly parts of sightseeing are handled.

Since it’s private (only your group), you also get more control over pace. You’re not waiting for strangers to finish photos, and you can ask questions as you go.

Puseh Batuan Temple: a temple founded around 1020 AD

The day begins at Puseh Batuan Temple, a Hindu temple with stone carvings and sculptures. You get about 45 minutes here, and admission is included.

What makes this stop worth your time is how it sets the tone for the whole day. Ubud isn’t just Instagram scenery; it’s also living Balinese religious culture. Even if you don’t know the details, you can still notice the craftsmanship and the way the carvings and layout reflect devotion rather than tourism.

Practical note: temples mean footwear rules and respectful behavior. Wear something easy to adjust, and keep your phone and camera use respectful once you’re inside.

Tegenungan Waterfall: planning for big views (and getting a little damp)

Next comes Tegenungan Waterfall, with about 1 hour on site. Admission is included, and you’re surrounded by forest with a green valley panorama where the waterfall becomes the centerpiece.

This stop is all about the scene. You’ll want a moment to just look—then another moment to frame the shot from the best angle you can find. If the weather is humid (common in Bali), expect that the air and surfaces near the falls can feel slippery, so take your time on any steps.

Also, plan your clothing like a waterfall is possible. You may not get drenched, but you’ll likely get at least a little mist in the area.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace: cliff-edge scenery with palm-trimmed photo angles

Then you’ll head to Tegalalang Rice Terrace for about 45 minutes. This is one of Bali’s most photographed landscapes, with terraces set against a cliff and bordered by palm trees—very scenic and very walkable for short stretches.

This is the part of the day that feels classic Ubud: not a single building, but a whole working landscape. If you like photos, this is your best window to experiment with angles because there are lots of levels and viewpoints.

The trade-off is simple: it’s popular. You’ll likely share the area with other people, so keep your expectations realistic if you want a perfectly empty frame.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: see the 700+ long-tailed macaques up close

Your next stop is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. You’ll spend about 1 hour here, and admission is included. The forest is home to more than 700 grey long-tailed macaques, so this is not a small zoo-style stop—it’s a real forest environment with monkeys living there.

For the visit to feel fun instead of stressful, treat monkeys like you’re in their home:

• Keep bags closed and don’t tempt them with snacks.
• Avoid sudden moves near them.
• If a monkey gets too interested in your belongings, don’t argue—back off and let it pass.

Your guide can help set expectations, especially if you’re meeting the animals for the first time. This is also the stop where wearing practical shoes matters most, since you’re walking on uneven ground in a natural setting.

Optional stops near your hotel: how to choose the right add-on

One of the best perks is the option to add an extra stop near your hotel on request for no extra charge. That matters because travel time is usually what eats your day in Bali. If your driver can slot in something close to where you’re staying, you don’t pay extra to reposition.

If you’re staying around Ubud, popular add-ons listed include:

• Puri Saren Palace
• Campuhan Ridge Walk
• Saraswati Temple

If you’re in the Sanur area, choices include:

• Sanur Beach
• Sindhu Market
• Sindhu Beach

And for south Bali extensions, the list also includes stops in places like:

• Tanjung Benoa (Benoa Harbour, Benoa Square, Caow Eng Bio Chinese Buddhist Temple)
• Nusa Dua (Nusa Dua Beach, Bali Collection, Museum PASIFIKA)
• Jimbaran (Samasta Lifestyle Village, Jimbaran Fish Market, Jimbaran Bay)
• Kuta (Nusa Kuta Beach, Waterbom Bali, Ground Zero Monument)
• Legian (Legian Beach, Jalan Legian, Garlic Lane)
• Seminyak (Seminyak Beach, Double Six Beach, Seminyak Square)
• Canggu (Canggu Beach, Berawa Beach, Nelayan Beach)
• Denpasar (Bali Orchid Garden, Level 21 Mall, Matahari Duta Plaza)

How to choose: pick one add-on that matches your energy. If you already feel tired from the waterfall and terraces, go for something easy and close rather than a long-walk experience.

Vehicle, guide, and timing: the comfort details that change your whole day

A big reason this tour gets strong ratings is the structure: private air-conditioned vehicle, pickup and drop-off from multiple areas, and a guide who speaks English.

Your tour includes parking fees and gas/petrol, which is another quiet win. You’re less likely to hit annoying gaps like unexpected charges for getting from place to place.

Also, you start at 8:30 am, so do yourself a favor and be ready in the lobby ahead of time. The tour notes say pickup happens from your hotel lobby at your scheduled pickup time, and that helps the day run smoothly.

One review highlights the guide Juli as attentive and communicative, with great English. In practice, that kind of guide presence matters: you get clearer context at temples and better explanations for what you’re seeing at the terraces and waterfall.

Price and value: what $57 covers, and what you still plan for

At $57 per person, this tour is priced as a day of bundled sightseeing rather than a budget taxi ride.

What you get included:

• Private air-conditioned vehicle
• Pickup and drop-off from listed areas in Bali
• English-speaking driver/guide
• Entry/admission fees
• Parking fees and gas/petrol
• Mobile ticket

Not included:

• Food and drink
• Gratuities (optional)

So your main cost planning is lunch and water. I suggest budgeting for at least one meal and some snacks, especially since the day includes nature stops and you’ll likely walk a fair bit. Also bring sunscreen and stay hydrated.

If you’re trying to compare value, consider that admission fees and transport are the two big “hidden” costs people often forget when planning a custom itinerary. Here, those pieces are already handled.

One more small detail that’s useful for planning: the tour notes that confirmation is received at booking, and the tour is often booked about 23 days in advance on average. If your dates are tight, don’t wait until the last week.

Who this Ubud tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This tour is a strong match if you:

• Want a classic Ubud highlights day without self-driving
• Like a mix of culture + nature (temple, waterfall, rice terraces, Monkey Forest)
• Appreciate an English-speaking guide to explain what you’re seeing
• Are staying in Ubud or much of south Bali and want hotel pickup

You might think twice if:

• You prefer very slow days with lots of free time between stops.
• You’re extremely sensitive to animal encounters, since the Monkey Forest is a forest with 700+ macaques.
• You plan to stack multiple optional add-ons, because it can shrink your breathing room inside a fixed 9-hour schedule.

Quick checklist before you go

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes for temple grounds and forest paths
• Light layers for humidity and mist near the waterfall
• Sunscreen and water

Keep in mind:

• Admission fees for main stops are included, but food and drink aren’t
• It’s a private tour, so you’ll want to communicate any preferences early (pace, photo stops, and which optional add-on you want)

Should you book this Ubud tour with Bali 4U Tours?

If your goal is to see the headline sights—Puseh Batuan Temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary—without juggling tickets or transportation, this is a solid choice. The rating is 4.9 with 25 reviews, and it’s listed as recommended by 100%, which lines up with the idea that the day is well organized and guided well.

I’d book it when you want maximum payoff in one day and you value smooth pickup and admission handling. Skip it only if you hate a full schedule or you want lots of unscripted wandering time with no structure at all. If that describes you, you’ll probably be happier with a more open-ended plan.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour start time is 8:30 am.

How long is the Ubud tour?

It runs about 9 hours.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Where do you offer pickup and drop-off?

Pickup and drop-off are listed for Sanur, Ubud, Kuta/Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Benoa, and Denpasar.

What are the main stops included in the itinerary?

The included stops are Puseh Batuan Temple, Tegenungan Waterfall, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

Are admission fees included?

Yes. Entry/Admission fees are included.

Is food and drink included?

No. Food and drink are not included and are available for purchase.

Can I add an extra stop near my hotel?

Yes. There’s an optional visit near your hotel on request, and it’s listed as having no extra charge.

Do I need to buy a ticket at each place?

Not in the usual way. The tour includes a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.